Elephants destroy crop fields in Lusangazi District

ELEPHANTS have destroyed 60 hectares of crop fields in Chikowa Zone in the Game Management Area (GMA) in Lusangazi.

 Department of National Parks and Wildlife Area Warden Mabel Shibata has confirmed the development in a telephone interview.

 Ms Shibata said the affected crops are mostly maize, cotton and groundnuts.

 She explained that the affected farmers were those who opened new fields right in the Game Management Area.

 Ms Shibata however, said despite the farmers cultivating in the GMA, officers under the Department of National Parks and Wildlife were doing everything possible to safeguard the lives of the people by chasing away the wild animals.

 “Yes, I have confirmed that 60 hectares of crop fields mostly maize, cotton and groundnuts have been destroyed by elephants in the Game Management Area in Chikowa Zone where some farmers opened new fields but despite that being the case, we are trying by all means to protect the lives of people and our officers are on the ground to scare away the animals,” she said.

 And Chikowa Ward councillor, Henry Lungu stated that the situation was bad as it had affected over 120 farmers from eight Villages.

 Mr Lungu said farmers had already started harvesting their crops when the wild beasts attacked and destroyed all their crop fields.

 Mr Lungu appealed to the government through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) to assist the affected farmers with relief food.

 “The situation is bad as all the crops have been destroyed by the elephants from eight villages and the farmers are over 120 or more so the DMMU must come and give the affected farmers relief food,” he said.

 When contacted for a comment, Lusangazi District Agricultural Coordinator, Friday Sikombe said his office was still waiting for a report from the Agriculture Camp Officer in the area.

 The affected farmers are those situated in the valley area of Chikowa ward right in the Game Management Area. – ZANIS